Hyundai Brand Loyalty Replaces Toyota for the Number One Spot, According to Kelley Blue Book's KBB.com

All-new Sonata Emerges on the Top 10 Most Researched New Vehicle List

FOUNTAIN VALLEY, Calif., 03/15/2010 Brand loyalty for Hyundai recently surpassed that of Honda and replaced Toyota, allowing Hyundai to take the No. 1 spot among car shoppers, according to the latest Kelley Blue Book's www.kbb.com Market Intelligence data. Up from third place in Q4 2009, Hyundai saw the greatest increase in loyalty in February 2010, with Hyundai owners looking at new models within the brand increasing by 10.4 percentage points to 56.3 percent.

Furthermore, according to Kelley Blue Book Values data, throughout the month of February 2010 Hyundai outperformed the overall car segment average by a healthy margin. Hyundai values increased 2 percent month-over-month, relative to a 0.3 percent increase for the entire car segment.

"A large part of Hyundai's momentum is a result of introducing passionate new products like the 2011 Sonata and 2010 Tucson," said James Bell, executive market analyst for Kelley Blue Book's kbb.com. "To sustain this momentum, Hyundai should continue to promote its attractive new-vehicle lineup, solid warranty offer and strong price-points to new-car shoppers."

In addition to topping brand loyalty, the all-new 2011 Sonata was named to kbb.com's Top 10 Most-Researched New Vehicles list for the first time. In February, the Sonata was the fifth most-researched new car on kbb.com alongside 'Top 10 Most-Researched' mainstays such as Accord, Civic, Camry and CR-V.

"2009 marked an unprecedented year for the Hyundai brand and we are well poised to keep the momentum going in 2010," said John Krafcik, president and CEO, Hyundai Motor America. "With impressive new vehicles like the all-new Sonata and our dedication to deliver stylish, fuel efficient and affordable vehicles, more customers are adding Hyundai models to their shopping lists."

This Kelley Blue Book Market Intelligence data analysis examined site traffic to used-car trade-in pages and new-car pricing report pages on Kelley Blue Book's kbb.com, and compared loyalty data from Q4 2009 to February 1 – 28, 2010. The Kelley Blue Book Values data within this release represents month-over-month used-vehicle depreciation percentages.

Kelley Blue Book (www.kbb.com) Since 1926, Kelley Blue Book, The Trusted Resource®, has provided vehicle buyers and sellers with the new and used vehicle information they need to accomplish their goals with confidence. The company's top-rated Web site, www.kbb.com, provides the most up-to-date pricing and values, including the New Car Blue Book® Value, which reveals what people actually are paying for new cars. The company also reports vehicle pricing and values via products and services, including software products and the famous Blue Book® Official Guide. According to the C.A. Walker Research Solutions, Inc. - 2009 Spring Automotive Web Site Usefulness Study, kbb.com is the most useful automotive information Web site among new and used vehicle shoppers, and half of online vehicle shoppers visit kbb.com. Kelley Blue Book's kbb.com also is a W3 Gold Award winner, sanctioned by the International Academy of Visual Arts. Kbb.com is a leading provider of new car prices, used car Blue Book Values, car reviews, new cars for sale, used cars for sale, and car dealer locations.

HYUNDAI MOTOR AMERICA Hyundai Motor America, headquartered in Fountain Valley, Calif., is a subsidiary of Hyundai Motor Co. of Korea. Hyundai vehicles are distributed throughout the United States by Hyundai Motor America and are sold and serviced through almost 800 dealerships nationwide. All Hyundai vehicles sold in the U.S. are covered by the Hyundai Assurance program which now includes the 5-year/60,000-mile fully transferable bumper-to-bumper warranty, Hyundai's 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty and 5-year complimentary Roadside Assistance in addition to the highly acclaimed vehicle return policy introduced in early 2009. For more details on Hyundai Assurance, please visit www.HyundaiAssurance.com.

Sonata Grows in Popularity

Sonata Grows in Popularity

The Hyundai Sonata has become a hit in a fiercely competitive segment for new- and used-car dealers.

Automakers made huge efforts to crack into the small sedan category, which is dominated by the Toyota Camry and the Honda Accord. The latest example is General Motor Corp.'s much-hyped new version of the Chevrolet Malibu.

Hyundai launched the new Sonata last year and many analysts said they did the best job so far of creating a true Camry competitor.

According to AutoData Corp., Hyundai sold 145,568 Sonatas in 2007, down 2.6 percent from 2006 but still a strong performance.

"They've done a great job battling the notion that it's not as good a vehicle as a Toyota Camry or a Honda, not just the vehicle, but the name brand," said Joe Spina, senior remarketing manager for Edmunds.com. "They started to get great reviews and consumers are starting to notice."

The vehicle's popularity as a used car also increased. The Sonata spent much of 2007 among AuctionNet's Top 10 units sold.

A recent online review said the "2002-2005 Sonata was solid proof that Hyundai could build a solid, well- appointed and attractive automobile to hold its own among a horde of mid-size competitors."

Spina said increased quality, on top of the 100,000-mile powertrain warranty, has made the Sonata almost on par with the competition.

One major obstacle for Hyundai products in the used-car market has been the subpar certified pre-owned program. But the manufacturer recently relaunched its CPO program with a five-year/ 60,000-mile powertrain warranty.

According to John Sullivan, sales manager at Fairfax Hyundai in Fairfax, Va., the new CPO program has helped the Sonata compete in the used-car market.

"It is definitely competing with the Honda Accord a lot better than it was," he said. "It feels heavier, and it's a little roomier."

By David Piestrzynski
Used Car News Staff Writer

Hyundai's XG Series Puts You in Lap of Near-Luxury

Hyundai's XG Series Puts You in Lap of Near-Luxury

Used Car Profile

History
Hyundai took a seemingly huge gamble in the fall of 2000 when the South Korean automaker, primarily known for selling low-priced, entry-level models, introduced its version of a near-luxury vehicle. Known in the company's homeland as the Grandeur, the XG300 was equipped with a 192-horsepower V-6 plus plenty of standard bells and whistles.

For 2002, the designation changed to XG350 due to its larger and higher torque (by better than 20 percent) 200-horsepower 3.5-liter V-6. A five-speed automatic transmission was connected to both power plants. After five reasonably successful years, the XG was replaced the larger and more powerful Azera for 2006.

The Good Stuff

The XG's list of standard goodies was long and extensive and included a lot of equipment you would expect in an upscale automobile all at an initial purchase price that was pegged to compete with well-equipped versions of the Honda Accord, Nissan Altima, Toyota Camry and other midsize sedans. Items such as leather seats and a wide variety of power-operated accessories came standard.

The premium L model upped the luxury quotient with a power sunroof, climate control and fancier interior with heated seats. The XG's ride was on the plush side, which is to say that Hyundai placed much emphasis on comfort. The car was also roomy enough to easily seat five people and carry all of their personal effects in the spacious trunk.

Heads Up!

Although competent traversing the freeway or the boulevard, the XG was not quite as sharp as the rest of the midsize field while tackling twisty or uneven roads where its imprecise suspension came up short.

The car also seemed 300-400 pounds too heavy for its engine, meaning only fair-to-average acceleration. Also annoying was a tendency for the five-speed automatic transmission to shift often under light to moderate loads while it searched for the proper gear. If optimum performance is important, stick with the more powerful 2002-'05 XG350.

Prices at a Glance

The XG series tends to depreciate at a pretty good clip, making it look like a relative bargain. Note that for each year, the higher price is for the premium L sedan.

2001 $5,000-$5,500M

2002 $6,500-$7,000

2003 $8,500-$9,000

2004 $10,500-$11,000

2005 $13,000-$13,500

Overall

The XG is a decent, good-looking automobile that never really posed a threat to entry-luxury models from Acura, Infiniti and Lexus. But when you consider that many of these cars remain covered under the five-year/60,000-mile basic warranty and 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranties, seeking out a depreciated XG seems like a good idea.

Friday, January 11, 2008

Hyundai Announces Pre-Owned Program

Hyundai Announces Enhanced Pre-Owned Program

FOUNTAIN VALLEY, Calif., May 30 -- Hyundai Motor America today announced an industry first with its new Hyundai Certified Pre-Owned Limited Warranty, boasting a 10-year/100,000 mile powertrain warranty on used vehicles going back five model years with less than 60,000 miles. The enhanced pre-owned program and pre-owned warranty provides buyers with an added level of comfort and satisfaction with their vehicle purchase. The enhanced pre-owned program was launched to Hyundai dealers in May 2007, with warranty being effective from date of original sale.

Hyundai's enhanced Certified Pre-Owned vehicle program will provide buyers with:

• Powertrain 10 year/100,000 mile warranty
• 150-Point Inspection
• $50 deductible
• Vehicles up to five model years old with less than 60,000 miles are eligible
• Roadside assistance
• Rental car coverage (up to $35/day for up to 10 days)
• Towing coverage (up to $75 per occurrence)
• Travel breakdown coverage (up to $375 per occurrence)
• Diagnostics
• Related damage for specific parts
• Fluids
• New car financing rates through Hyundai Motor Financing Company

"We are very excited to launch an industry first," said Kimberly Walker, Hyundai Motor America's national manager of Assurance Products. "Hyundai's new vehicles feature America's Best Warranty™ and adding the same level of value to our pre-owned vehicles is just another example of how Hyundai stands behind their vehicles."

dditional options available to the Certified Pre-Owned Limited Warranty include service contracts such as the Hyundai Certified Pre-Owned Wrap Contract which raises the comprehensive coverage on non-powertrain components, Hyundai Vehicle Care Maintenance Program and Hyundai Road Hazard Tire and Wheel option.

Hyundai Motor America is working with Jim Moran & Associates, Inc. and its affiliated companies comprising the JM&A Group on this industry first, enhanced certified pre-owned program.

Hyundai Motor America, headquartered in Fountain Valley, Calif., is a subsidiary of Hyundai Motor Co. of Korea. Hyundai vehicles are distributed throughout the United States by Hyundai Motor America and are sold and serviced through more than 750 dealerships nationwide. Hyundai Motor America